Melanoma Metastasis to the Mandible-Case Report and Comprehensive Literature Review

With the incidence of melanoma increasing yearly, there is a need for heightened awareness of its metastatic potential and for screening with appropriate referral for identification of pre-metastatic lesions. Melanoma has a 16- to 25-month period to metastasize from a localized disease to one with a median survival no longer than 12 months once metastasis occurs. Nearly one third of oral metastases are found to be the first indication of occult malignancy from a distant site. This report describes the case of a 54-year-old woman with a longstanding undiagnosed acral lentiginous melanoma with metastasis to the maxillofacial region. She underwent resection and died 7 months later. The authors analyzed case reports and the current literature for biological mechanisms of metastasis, risk factors, clinical presentation, classifications, staging, treatment modalities, prognosis, and current therapy modalities.